Relentless Pressure: How the Eagles’ Defensive Line Crushed Mahomes in Super Bowl LIX

The Kansas City Chiefs entered Super Bowl LIX with aspirations of a historic three-peat, but they instead ran into a brick wall in the form of the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive line. In a dominant performance, the Eagles’ front four terrorized Patrick Mahomes, leading to a 40-22 victory and a second Lombardi Trophy for Philadelphia. Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion, had one of the worst games of his career, a testament to the relentless pressure he faced all game long.

A Statistical Nightmare for Mahomes

Entering Super Bowl LIX, Mahomes had played 132 regular season and postseason games. Never before had he been sacked six times in a single contest. The Eagles’ defensive line achieved this feat, consistently collapsing the pocket and disrupting Mahomes’ rhythm. The numbers paint a clear picture of Mahomes’ struggles:

6 Sacks: A career-high for Mahomes in any game.
2 Interceptions: Including a pick-six by Cooper DeJean.
1 Fumble Lost: Leading to an Eagles field goal.
257 Passing Yards: A decent number, but much of it came in garbage time when the game was already decided.
Zero Blitzes: The Eagles didn’t need to blitz, generating pressure with their front four alone.
10.7 Passer Rating at Halftime: A 25-year low for any quarterback in the first half of a Super Bowl.
23 Total Yards in the First Half: The lowest first-half yardage for a team in the Super Bowl since 2000.

“They played great from start to finish,” Mahomes acknowledged after the game. “They got after it, defensive line played really well.”

The Eagles’ Defensive Line Stars

The Eagles’ defensive line was a formidable unit comprised of both established veterans and rising stars. Several players had standout performances:

Josh Sweat: Led the team with 2.5 sacks, consistently beating his blocker and disrupting Mahomes.
Jalen Carter: The All-Pro defensive tackle was a force in the middle, drawing constant double teams and still managing to pressure Mahomes. According to PhillyVoice’s Jimmy Kempski, “Carter is the Eagles’ best defensive player, and he is quickly becoming one of the best players in the NFL…He makes everyone’s job on the defense easier, and was the key to the Eagles’ No. 1 defensive ranking in 2024.”
Nolan Smith: Applied consistent pressure off the edge.
Jordan Davis: Had his best game of the season, clogging running lanes and collapsing the pocket.
Cooper DeJean: The defensive back made a huge impact with a pick-six.
Zack Baun: The linebacker had an interception.

Safety Reed Blankenship perfectly summed up the defensive line’s performance: “They’ve been doing it all year. They don’t need no help. They’re demons up front.”

Tactical Brilliance: Fangio’s Masterclass

Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio crafted a brilliant game plan that exploited the Chiefs’ offensive weaknesses. The decision to not blitz Mahomes was a key element, as it allowed the Eagles to focus on coverage and trust their defensive line to win their one-on-one matchups. This strategy proved highly effective, as Mahomes was pressured on nearly 40% of his dropbacks despite not facing a single blitz.

Chris Long reacted to the dominant play of the Philadelphia Eagles offensive and defensive lines in Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs. Jalen Carter, Milton Williams, Josh Sweat and the Eagles defensive line stopped the Chiefs running game in their tracks.

The Impact on the Game

The Eagles’ dominant defensive performance had a profound impact on the game’s outcome. By consistently pressuring Mahomes, they forced him into making mistakes, disrupted the Chiefs’ offensive flow, and ultimately limited their scoring opportunities. The pick-six by Cooper DeJean was a turning point, extending the Eagles’ lead and further demoralizing the Chiefs.

In the first half, the Chiefs scored no points and only gained 23 yards, the lowest first-half yardage since the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX and the second-lowest overall.

Mahomes’ Perspective

Mahomes took responsibility for his poor performance, stating, “The turnovers hurt. I take all the blame for that.” He acknowledged the Eagles’ defensive line’s dominance, but also pointed to his own mistakes as contributing factors to the loss.

Looking Ahead

The Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory was a testament to the importance of a dominant defensive line in today’s NFL. Their relentless pressure on Mahomes disrupted one of the league’s most potent offenses and secured a championship. As the Eagles look to the future, maintaining a strong and disruptive defensive line will be crucial to their continued success. With young stars like Jalen Carter leading the way, the Eagles’ defensive front is poised to remain a force to be reckoned with for years to come.